Sidewalk Upgrade Gets “Stamp” of Approval

After less-than pedestrian efforts from the taxpayer-supported Midtown/Truman Road Corridor Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation to make improvements and/or to enforce their own tax-abatement standards on Delaware Street, Jennifer Clark, director of the Community Development Department at City Hall, comes through with a successful $500,000 grant. Credit also goes to neighbors who assisted with the application and petition in a true grass-roots effort. Congratulations to all the local folks and to all US citizens whose assets will be protected and enhanced. The project includes upgrades for infrastructure and utilities but the most visible impact will likely be the sidewalk improvements. Construction will likely not start until 2012, but that leaves time for appropriate planning and design to assure that we get this right. The sidewalks are proposed to be a special stamped and stained concrete designed to match the large concrete hexagonal multi-colored pavers. Here are some suggestions to consider during the planning and design phase of the project:

· Have contractor construct a sample panel that is portable so that proposed work can be compared to areas where the existing sidewalks have been maintained. Compare colors, textures, joints, finish, and general quality of work and approve sample prior to beginning any work.

· Make sure all utility lines below the sidewalks have been replaced or are in good shape and that the compaction of backfill is appropriately covered.

· Make sure the connections to driveways are strong enough to handle the occasional wheel loads from truck or car while resisting settlement (and tripping hazards).

· For driveways that were widened without Heritage Commission approval (315 N. Delaware – next door to the Mayor), have owner (absentee landlord) reconfigure the driveway to original configuration prior to commencing any work. There should be time in the schedule to implement this now so it will be ready to go next year. If we are going to all this trouble for the sake of authenticity, then adjacent and connecting landscape features should be brought up to code also. And absentee landlords should not be given a free pass to following rules, especially in a National Historic Landmark District and, in particular, within the view shed of the Truman Home National Historic Site. This is a no-brainer.

· Make sure there are provisions for periodic sealing and standards for acceptable deicing chemicals.

· Make sure slab joints follow the hexagonal pattern of the stamped finish.

· Maintain a special fund at City Hall to handle future maintenance of the sidewalks. Maintenance has to include guidelines and specifications for future replacement of sections where utility hook-ups are repaired or where Public Works feels the need to dig a hole. Don’t make the homeowners, DYI amateurs, and/or low-bid utility sub-contractors be responsible for this.

As a final note, consider just replacing the sidewalks with normal concrete. It’s cheaper, easier to maintain, and it’s a historic material also. It is important for us to not only make sure the sidewalks look good immediately after construction, but to make sure they look good for the generations to come. That will be the true test of a successful project. My observations of recent projects in the community are that we tend to pass out honors early, sometimes before projects are even complete, and in other cases, projects that eventually fail. Delaware Street deserves this grant but let’s make sure its implementation is successful.